Official, a British Irish Apology!

Is this a first? Bob Geldof appears to have pulled off a spectacular achievement. His greatest ever, perhaps. What every Irishman has dreamt of for a thousand years. No, not an invite to the Queens summer party. No we are taking substance here. Major. Mighty. All powerful. All consuming. Could this be THE event of the century? Greatest event in the Millennium?
No small feat. Bob Geldof has extracted an official and unreserved apology from that 'great British institution' - the BBC.

Bob Geldof, who stood us when so many others looked away. Bob Geldof who changed what it means to give, to care and to change millions oif lives. Bob Geldof who ashamed so many governments in so many countries and who, in every respect, changed the public and governments perspective and attitudes on Africa. Certainly one of Ireland's greatest saints (Mondays aside).

And his reward? Dirty false allegations by the BBC broadcast to millions in a deliberate attempt to slur, to incite and to damage his so deserving and admirable reputation. And now an apology. That earth shaking mind boggling turn around that is so unusual to the extent that it might well constitute the first ever official British Irish apology.

Not that an apology could ever undo the harm. Certainly not sufficient. The BBC should never have broadcast those allegations. Should never have sought to prop up declining viewer numbers for a program at the expense of an individual and the organisation he has given so much to. An organisation that has achieved more than any single government has ever achieved in terms of humanity and social responsibility.

Whilst wars raged around the world, whilst governments sent their armies to kill and maim, while governments spent increasing budgets of $billions on weapons, Mr Geldof stood up and took a step ever greater than that first step on the moon. Much more profound.

And the amazing thing is Bob Geldof's response to this mind-blowing about turn by the BBC. Where most receiving such an apology would glorify it in the media, Bob has choosen to simple accept and acknowledge it - and to do so in a manner that underscores his whole persona as that of the man that changed the world. A true Irish man. See also Reuter's reporting on this historic event.

On a lighter note, Ryanair's Michael O'Leary will be a happy man this week and he may well think 'with one in the bag' he might well be next in line for an apology. Certainly he deserves one. Though his 'wit' and the way he made little of the BBC Panorama 'expose' of Ryanair must surely go down in history as one of the best comedy events ever. Whilst trying to drag this Irishman through the dirt the BBC spectacularly failed giving Ryanair its more valuable boost to its credibility instead - and showing the BBC in its true colours - a damaged organisation that is mighty only in respect to its budget.

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